Everyone was stunned after hearing this, and then immediately objected. Hun Weiming was the first to say: "How can this be done? I have so many boatmen in Zhenze, and I only go through the Shanyangdu section, but it's not enough."
Jiang Shuo said, "Brother Hun, in this way you have the only water transport from the Jiangnan River, which is really quite a lot."
Xiao Dayou said: "Okay, as expected, Young Master Jiang still faces his own people!"
Jiang Shuo said: "Brother Xiao, you are not at a loss. The Tongji Canal is straight and wide. Flat-bottomed boats are suitable for sailing in this section, but Bian boats cannot enter the river."
Xiao Dayou had a good idea. The Bian boat was too big and could easily hit rocks in the river. Every time it passed Sanmen Gorge, the cargo could only be unloaded and transported by land. The empty ship could then be reloaded after passing through Sanmen Gorge. It was really difficult.
Jiang Shuo added: "The hydrology between Heluo and Luo is complicated. Except for local boatmen, it is difficult for others to pass through."
Lu Yuxuan said: "That's right. Last year, none of our northern boatmen capsized, and not a single handful of corn was lost."
Hun Weiming and Xiao Dayou both fell into deep thought. They had each lost several boats and hundreds of lives last year alone. Taking the three-door waterway of the river was really a loss-making deal for them.
Jiang Shuo finally said to Xie Yanchang: "People in Guanzhong are not used to the climate in Shannan, and they don't know how to operate a large ship in the south of the Yangtze River. It is really not worth the loss to use a small boat in Guanzhong to transport people thousands of miles away."
The four of them changed their previous objections and began to think for themselves. At this moment, a man stood up behind Dou Tinghui, clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Young Master Jiang, this method of staged transfer is so wonderful. The river boat cannot enter Bian." , Bian boats cannot enter the river, and river boats cannot enter the Wei River. Each of the four gangs performs their duties and each has his own convenience. How wonderful, how wonderful!"
Jiang Shuo saw that the speaker was a middle-aged civil servant wearing a green robe. Dou Tinghui introduced him: "This is the imperial censor Liu Yan and Liu Shi'an. He is here to inspect the water affairs."
Everyone was busy paying homage to him, and Dou Tinghui asked Liu Yan, "Is what Young Master Jiang said feasible?"
Liu Yan said: "It should be feasible! If you sail the boat in sections, you can really use your strengths and avoid weaknesses. For example, the Tongji Canal is also called the Bian Canal. The most suitable for navigation is the 'Xieshangzhijiang Boat' with a wide boat and a flat bottom, but the Bian boat is heavy and difficult to pass. There are three natural chasms, and the river boat has a "gate-filling boat" with a strong bow. It can sail between the three pillars without fear of rocks. However, when entering the Bian Canal, it is easy to run aground because of the heavy bow. . Therefore, if the boat is sailed in sections, each boat can play its own advantages when entering each canal.
And there is another one, which is divided into four sections for transportation. The time it takes for each boatman to go back and forth can be greatly saved. In this way, won't money and food be saved? "
Dou Tinghui said: "Would it be troublesome to have to change ships to load each section?"
Liu Yan said: "It's not troublesome. There are many large warehouses along the water transport route. We only need to transport the transport from the south of the Yangtze River to Yangzhou, the transport of the Bianhe River to Heyin, the transport of river boats to Weikou, and the transport of Wei boats to Taicang, and then from the warehouse." It can be transferred in the middle, but there is no need for the two ships to face each other on the water."
Dou Tinghui said: "Ah... In this case, Young Master Jiang came up with a brilliant idea! Tinghui is really impressed that Young Master has such knowledge at such a young age." After saying this, he bowed solemnly to Jiang Shuo.
Jiang Shuo hurriedly said: "How could I have such knowledge? I all heard it from Master Zhao." It turned out that although Zhao Rui did not want to be an official, he traveled throughout the north and south of the Tang Dynasty in his later years and had a lot of understanding of national affairs. He and Jiang Shuo Shuo was bored when he was trapped in Juqu Cave, so he told Jiang Shuo like a story. Jiang Shuo had an unparalleled memory. When he first heard it, he was just confused. Today, he and a few people know it. As soon as he said it, he suddenly understood it and said it clearly. Zhao Rui said what he was thinking.
Liu Yan said: "Who are you, Master Zhao? Liu Yan, a god like this, also wants to meet."
Jiang Shuo said: "He is my master, but he is currently wandering around the mountains and rivers and has disappeared."
Dou Tinghui said: "You can talk about gods far away in the horizon. I think the two people in front of me are gods! Brother Shi'an, when you were seven years old, you were conferred the title of Prince by the Holy Emperor. You are recognized as a child prodigy. Now you are doing this segmented canal transport. The matter requires you to work more in the court, so you must complete this matter."
Liu Yan said, "I haven't heard what the four leaders have to say yet. What do you four think of Young Master Jiang's method?"
At this moment, the four of them finally figured it out. This method actually has hundreds of benefits and no harm. Firstly, each can take advantage of it and save more and consume less. Secondly, each can do their own thing without disturbing each other. Wouldn't their own territory be more secure? Is it stable?
Originally, I didn't make much money by hiring water transport for the government, but the four major gangs have a large number of gangs, each of which has business on the shore, and the gangs are not just boatmen. Now, this segmented water transport strategy is equivalent to demarcating the sphere of influence for the four people. , you can run your own business with peace of mind, why not?
Hun Weiming took the lead and crossed his hands and said, "Hun Er will naturally follow Young Master Jiang's words."
Xiao Dayou was also an outspoken person and shouted: "This method is very good, Lao Xiao seconded it."
Xie Yanchang said: "I am a person who has nothing to do with the world. If we can each take care of his own place, even though I have little water transportation in Guanzhong, I don't want to compete with you young people anymore." In fact, although there is little water transportation in Guanzhong, the two capitals have The land trade in the land is quite prosperous. Now that the other four gangs are not allowed to enter Guanzhong, Xie Yanchang monopolizes the land in the capital and feels that he is getting a big advantage.
Lu Yuxuan rolled his eyes and said: "This method is good, but each of the four gangs has no subordinate. If there is a problem in one link, the entire water transport will be blocked. If the officials blame it, each gang will be in trouble." ." Everyone nodded after hearing this. It turned out that the Caoyun family had to bear the risk from the beginning to the end, but if it was divided into sections, it would be tying their heads to someone else's belt.
Liu Yan laughed loudly and said: "What Lu Lang said is true, but it is not difficult to solve."
The four people asked together: "Does Liu Yushi have any good ideas?"
Liu Yan said: "Since we don't have subordinates, wouldn't it be better to have subordinates? I think your four major gangs can also learn from Jianghu Alliance and sworn brothers to cooperate in an alliance. Since they are brothers of Caoyun, I think they will be called Caobang. We all recommend an alliance leader, and everything depends on the alliance leader. I know that boatmen are the most loyal. Since we are an alliance, we will share weal and woe."
Xiao Dayou said: "It's good, but who can be the leader of the alliance to convince the people?"
Lu Yuxuan knew what he meant, and he laughed and said: "Brother Xiao, this alliance leader is already ready..." He turned his head and bowed to Jiang Shuo, saying: "Lu Yuxuan is willing to accept Young Master Jiang as the co-leader of our Cao Gang." Lu Yuxuan Known as "Little Zhang Liang", he has always prided himself on his skill and intelligence, but today he is impressed by Jiang Shuo when it comes to both martial arts and intelligence, so when he says that he is his master, he is sincere.
Xiao Dayou also immediately woke up and applauded: "Yes, yes, except Young Master Jiang, who else in the world can convince the four gangs?" After that, he bowed.
Xie Yanchang said: "Since ancient times, heroes have emerged from youth. I am convinced that Young Master Jiang is the leader of the Cao Gang." He also bowed down.
Hun Weiming was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed down and said: "Young Master carries two loads on one shoulder. From now on, he is not only the master of the rivers and lakes, but also the common master of the boat people in the world!"
Seeing the four people surrounding him and prostrating themselves, Jiang Shuo waved his hands and said urgently: "No, no... Big brothers, please get up quickly. I have only been the leader of the Jianghu Alliance for a day, and I haven't figured out anything yet. How can I do it again?" Be the leader of the Cao Gang?"
Liu Yan smiled and said: "Young Master, you don't have to be too modest. According to Yan's opinion, the canal is also a land of rivers and lakes, but Young Master Jiang's range of rivers and lakes is wider than before."
Lu Yuxuan also said: "Young Master Jiang, we ask you to be the leader of the canal gang out of sincerity. We have all learned your skills today, and the method of segmented canal transportation shows your wisdom even more. The master sympathizes with the sufferings of the boat people, which shows that he has a kind heart. He is indeed the most suitable candidate to be the leader of the Cao Gang."
Xiao Dayou also said: "Yes, Lao Xiao, I am outspoken. The four major gangs have been fighting and killing each other these years. No matter who among the four leaders becomes the gang leader, the other three will definitely be dissatisfied. Only Young Master Jiang can make me wait." Everyone is convinced."
Jiang Shuo was still hesitating and said: "Everyone get up and talk first..."
Lu Yuxuan said: "If the young master doesn't agree, I won't get up."
Dou Tinghui also advised from the side: "Xiaguan also requested orders on behalf of the people and merchants in the six lanes along the canal. In recent years, the four gangs have been fighting each other, which is not a blessing to the people. If they can be settled in one, the people will be happy, the business will prosper, and there will be no worries. .”
The four people asked again, and Jiang Shuo had no choice but to agree, saying: "Okay, I will be the first leader of the Cao Gang, but I have to say that I have no experience in water transportation and shipping. As soon as a suitable candidate is available, I will step aside. "
The four of them were overjoyed and thought, "You did it first, but no one will give in to you?" After busy performing the ritual of kneeling three times and kowtowing three times, the leader of the rivers and lakes does not have to be an emperor after all, and cannot bear the ritual of kneeling three times and kowtowing three times. Therefore, the rules of the rivers and lakes regard kneeling three times and kowtowing three times as the highest etiquette.
Dou Tinghui and Liu Yan were also overjoyed and immediately set up an incense table for the five of them to bow to the sky together. The five of them became brothers. Although Jiang Shuo was young, he could only be regarded as a brother to an old man like Xie Yanchang who was in his sixties.
Liu Yan said: "I will return to the court immediately and report to the doctor of the Department of Hubu, Duzhi, to ask the saint to reform the method of water transportation."
Dou Tinghui said, "Young Master Jiang must stay in Yangzhou for a few more days so that Dou Sanyi can fulfill his duties as a landlord."
Jiang Shuo declined: "To be honest with Sanlang, our Jianghu Alliance still has important matters to attend to. Our original plan was to go north along the canal tomorrow."
Lu Yuxuan asked: "Where are you going, young master?"
Hun Wei said clearly: "Go to Beihai to see the former alliance leader Li Yong and Li Shijun."
Xie Yanchang said: "That's just in time. Lu Lang and I are also going back to the north. The summer luck is about to begin. This time we will take the brothers back to Heyin and Weikou to wait for you."
Hun Weiming said: "Don't worry, I will mobilize my brothers from all over to return to Yangzhou immediately."
Xiao Dayou also said: "I will also go with the young master. The young master takes the water route, and I will be the oar for the young master."
Dou Tinghui was pleased to see that he had turned an enemy into a friend in an instant and had begun to plan the water transportation in sections. She said to Jiang Shuo, "Then I won't keep you here, young master. Let me prepare some silk and satin cloth for you to make." Sichuan capital.”
People in the Tang Dynasty used cloth as currency, and giving silk and satin was equivalent to giving money. Just when Jiang Shuo was about to refuse, Hun Weiming whispered: "Don't refute Sanlang's face." Jiang Shuo happily accepted.
Everyone returned to their seats, chatting and laughing, and feasted until midnight. Dou Tinghui ordered the door outside to be opened. The servants opened all the doors, and everyone walked to the outdoor corridor to sing and drink. Jiang Shuo looked around and saw that the long street was full of people and the shops were brightly lit. There was no hint of a curfew. The boats berthed on the canal also had their lights lit. The water surface was like a beating dance under the cover of weeping willows on both sides. The flames and the sound of singing of silk and bamboo in the market were as high as the heaven on earth.
He asked Hun Weiming: "Where shall we stay tonight?"
Hun Weiming smiled when he heard this and raised his hand to gesture to the water of the canal.
